Herbert Terry and Sons Ltd was established in 1855 in England. Initially, the company specialized in the manufacture of springs adapted to various products, but during the 1920s it developed and began its own production of products with springs, such as bicycle saddles.

A few years later, Herbert Terry and Sons Ltd acquired the license for George Carwardine’s company Anglepoise, leading to further expansion and growth. The company was renamed Anglepoise and began producing the exclusive lamps that would become world famous.The brand now has a place in British design history, with designers such as Sir Kenneth Grange, Margaret Howell and Paul Smith all making their mark with Anglepoise.

Helped soldiers in the Second World War, and appears in Bond films

In 1931, engineer and car designer George Carwardine developed a spring that could stay in one position no matter which direction it was moved in. He believed his invention could find more uses, and patented it in 1932. Soon he designed the 1227 desk lamp and sold licenses for the design to the Herbert Terry & Sons factory. The now iconic lamp first saw the light of day in 1933 and was an immediate success in the market.

While the factory worked on marketing and manufacturing the lamps, George Carwardine continued to develop the design. The new model had a flat base and four springs, adapted for use primarily in sterile and industrial environments. In 1935, the Original 1227 was introduced, a more elegant three-level version with an art deco style Bakelite base. The Original 1227 desk lamp is the model that many have come to associate with Anglepoise.

During the Second World War, Anglepoise lamps were used to help soldiers read their maps during bombing raids. They have also appeared in films such as James Bond, Goldfinger. George Carwardine’s legacy is managed today by the British company Anglepoise, which sells the original models of the exclusive desk lamps. Carwardine’s timeless and classic designs can also be found in a collection of table, floor, wall and pendant lamps in keeping with the designer’s spirit. British fashion designer Margaret Howell created a version of the Type 75 Desk Lamp inspired by functionality, authenticity and elegance. 2014 saw the launch of a collection of lamps created collaboratively by Anglepoise and British fashion designer Paul Smith.The Type 75 Desk Lamp from this range quickly become a big hit. In 2020, Anglepoise introduced a lifetime warranty on its products.